News

Local pub raises over £1,000

10 February 2010

Staff and customers of the Bricklayers Arms pub on Bergholt Road, Colchester have been busy raising an incredible £1022 for St Helena Hospice through a combination of fundraising activities that took place over the Christmas period.

The Bricklayers Arms are strong supporters of St Helena Hospice all year round and regularly raise money for the charity. Having raised over £400 with a Christmas hamper raffle last year they were determined to beat their efforts this year and in fact smashed through their previous total by raising an incredible £722.

In addition to the raffle, Adrian Manning who works at the pub was regularly teased by Fred the landlord about the length of his hair so he decided that if someone would put up £50 for the Hospice he would agree to his head being shaved on the night of the raffle draw. Needless to say the bidding began and the pub raised £150 as an incentive for Adrian to go ahead. This was then followed by local plumber, Alex Firkin agreeing to match the total and make it up to £300.

This meant that on the night the pub did the raffle draw they combined the raffle total of £722 with the extra £300 for Adrian’s head shave to reach a very grand total of £1022 for St Helena Hospice.                                          

Fred, Landlord, Bricklayers Arms said,

“Our customers are really nice people and are always very generous when we run fundraising activities for the Hospice and indeed with their donations in the collection box throughout the year. Hazel and I would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support in helping us raise money for this important local charity.”

Heather Buxton, Community Fundraiser, St Helena Hospice said:

“The Bricklayers Arms pub is incredibly supportive of the Hospice and we are always amazed and incredibly grateful for all the generosity their staff and customers give to their fundraising activities. A big thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets and joined in with the fundraising for Adrian’s head shave and of course to Adrian for being such a good sport.

“St Helena Hospice provides specialist palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses and all services are free of charge to patients and their families. The money raised by the Bricklayer Arms will be used to support the work of the Hospice throughout our community.”